TOKYO TIMES: BRITISH PHOTOGRAPHER LEE CHAPMAN UNVEILS THE CITY

Tokyo Times is a photoblog capturing the fascinating everyday reality of Japan’s capital city. The featured photographs show a different, unexpected side to Tokyo, a refreshing change from the bright lights and ‘Harajuku girls’ that are used all too often to represent this city. Lee Chapman, the man behind the blog, shows us instead the older generation, the dirt and debris, the down-and-outs and those on the fringes of society: political extremists, drunks and the homeless. He also uses the photoblog for urban exploration, documenting environments that have been untouched for years. I spoke to Lee about the blog, discovering ‘haikyo’ and being a foreign photographer in Tokyo.

Could you tell us a little about the history of your photoblog Tokyo Times?

フォトブログ、「Tokyo Times」の成り立ちについて教えてもらえますか？

To be honest, the site was initially started on a whim, as I was doing a job that involved a lot of downtime, but one that also required me to be at my desk and look busy regardless of whether I was or not. At that time it was just an outlet to do a bit of writing and rehash some of the more off-beat Japanese news stories I came across on the web. Slowly but surely though it morphed into what it is today: a photoblog.

When I first started out, I invariably used the one-time urban exploration ‘bible’, Nippon no Haikyo, a book with descriptions and maps of what the author considered to be the best abandoned buildings in Japan. It’s a bit dated now, and many of those listed don’t exist anymore, but it was a great introduction to what is out there.

Nowadays pretty much all the research is done online. There are a surprising amount of Japanese haikyo sites, although many of those involved are frustratingly reluctant to give away locations, so a good amount of detective work is generally needed. It’s not always worth the effort, but, when everything comes together, it most certainly is. An old and palatial former politician’s house I visited recently is the perfect example of this. A truly unique structure that was an absolute joy to explore. The story and photographs of which can be seen here.

Sadly I have been caught a few times. Once by a couple of security guards who thankfully were very cool about the whole thing once they realised I was only there to take photographs. Another time a nearby neighbour caught me, and he was far less impressed. Luckily I’d pretty much finished exploring the place, but it wasn’t an especially pleasant experience. There was simply no placating the man.

Some months ago we featured an article about a Daido Moriyama exhibition here in London. Some of your black and white shots of Tokyo city life seem reminiscent of his work and, since you have a photograph of him at a book signing, can we assume that you are a fan of his work? Would you say you share the same passion for casually capturing small moments that are integral to describing the city as a whole?

I am, yes. It took me a little while to ‘get’ Moriyama, but once I did I became a huge fan. His work may not be as immediately appealing as some other photographers, but his approach works for me. It seems like the perfect way to document a city that’s as cluttered and random as Tokyo. It’s not an attractive city like Paris or London, not by any stretch of the imagination, but at the same time there are countless pockets of beauty, or at least interest. And yes, capturing these small moments is something I try to do. The vast majority involving the people of the city. There are many things that make Tokyo what it is, but most of all is its citizens.

You like to add a brief description alongside your photographs, explaining any historical or cultural context. Would you say these were important accompaniments to your pictures, and do you feel that, without them, what you want to convey with your images could be lost?

That’s a good question. I’d like to think that many of my images speak for themselves, but at the same time I think it’s useful to give them context, or a short explanation. Many of the site’s readers live outside Japan too, so a few details are often useful if the image is related to a political event, social issue, etc. Also, writing is a way for me to work things out for myself. Or at least try and make some sense of them.

Are there any parts of Tokyo, or any particular demographic, that you enjoy photographing the most?

東京では、どういった場所、または世代の人々の写真を撮るのが一番お好きですか？

With regard to the latter, without a doubt it’s the city’s older residents. And as the population ages, there is certainly no shortage of them. They have been through a lot in their lives, and have seen their country change enormously, and in some respects I’d like to think their faces reflect this. Lines and expressions that have seen more than we could ever know.

As far as the city itself, it’s the older and more traditional neighbourhoods that I’m increasingly drawn to – particularly those in the east of the capital.

街自体では、古く、伝統的な地域ほど心が惹かれる。特に街の東部。

Were there times when you’ve found it hard to keep up the blog?

ブログを続ける事が難しい時はありましたか？

Not really. Walking around the city with my camera is what I enjoy doing the most, and weather permitting I’m out there every chance I get. The blog is also the perfect place to show the results, and together they provide me with the creative outlet I need. It’d actually be a lot harder not to keep up with it to be honest.

The blog is 10 years old in December this year. During that time you have accumulated an incredible archive of photographs and a wealth of local knowledge. Do you have any plans to celebrate the decennial with something like a published compendium?

Publishing a book would of course be wonderful, but it’s not something I’ve ever really thought about. At least not seriously anyway. Also I’m not a big celebrator of anniversaries and the like, so it’ll likely pass unrecorded. In fact, as the site has evolved over time, I don’t really see it as that old. More like 4 or so in its current form. So maybe in another 6 years I’ll think about celebrating!

Do you feel that by being a ‘foreign’ photographer, you are able to take photographs of Tokyo life from a more objective stance?

「外国人」として東京の写真を撮ることで、より客観的なスタンスがとれるという考えはありますか？

I don’t know about objective as everyone has their own agenda or style, but I’ll always take photos with a foreigner’s eye. Even after almost 15 years here, I’m still very much an outsider. And because of the way I look, I always will be. That element, however, can be advantageous. Often seen as a tourist out and about with a camera, it allows me to get away with things that I may not be able to do otherwise. Yes, I often get seen when trying to get a photo, but I’m invariably allowed to get away with taking it, whereas a Japanese person may meet some resistance. Or at least more resistance. It doesn’t always work that way of course, but generally it does.

I am, but not with the same intensity. It’s where I grew up so everything is all too familiar. To be fair, I’m also very much in holiday mode as well, seeing family and friends, etc., so that also has an impact.